Epheaim tuckee



(No Model.)

E. TUCKER.

FOLDING TABLE. No. 312,039. Patented Feb. 10, 1885.

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EPHBAIM TUCKER, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO EDWVARD IV.VAILL, OF SAME PLACE.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 312,039, dated February10, 1885.

Application filed January 5, 1884. (No model.)

T aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EPHRAIM TUCKER, of

Worcester, in the county of Worcester and Stateof Massachusetts, haveinvented an Improvement in Folding Tables, of which the following is aspecification.

Before my invention folding tables had been made with four legs. In someinstances two of the legs were stationary and the other two hinged orpivoted so as to fold against or across the stationary legs. In someinstances the table-top has been formed of a central portion,permanently connected with the legs, and the folding leaf hinged at eachedge thereof, and folding legs have been combined with tables of thischaracter, and in other instances the table-top has been hinged to thelegs so as to fold into a vertical position adjacent to the legs. 1

' My invention is made for rendering the table-legs very firm, and forallowing such legs to fold into a small compass, and to lie flat againstthe sides or surfaces of the stationary legs; and said inventionconsists in the combination of devices hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, Figure l is an elevation of the table as unfolded orspread for use. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the table folded. Fig. 3 is,an inverted plan of the parts above the line at w, and Fig. 4 is a planof the parts below the line 00 ac. I

The legsAAare united by a cross-piece, B, and at their upper ends theyare permanently fastened to the central piece, C, of the table. Theleaves D are hinged at H to the central piece, C, and when notin use arefolded down vertically, as shown in Fig. 2. The movable legs E E are, bypreference, similar in shape to the legs A A, and each one is providedwitha half cross-piece, F, and a hinge, G, by which such halfcross-pieces are united at opposite sides, near the center of the crosspiece B. A metal plate, H, is attached to the upper part of each leg E,and said metal plate is made with a knuckle for the pivotscrew I, suchknuckles forming stops to limit the movement of the legs as they areswung out beneath the leaf. It isnow to be understood that thepivotscrews I are in line with the hinges G, so that the legs E can befolded np'against the sides of the legsAA, as shown in Fig. 2. In thisposition the folded legs occupy but little space, and the hinged leavesof the table, when folded, hang down close to the folded legs.

Vhen the table-legs are spread for use, the cross-bearer B and halfcross-bearers F form rests for a central disk or basket, L, and Iprovide a projecting central pivot upon the bearer B, which, entering ahole in the bot tom of the basket L. retains the same in place. Thisbasket L is to be removed, by preference, before the legs are folded;but the legs may be folded without interference from said basket. It ispreferable to remove this basket and to place it edgewise between thelegs when the table is packed for transportation. By this construction Iam able to obtain a very strong and reliable table, and one that can bepacked into a small compass for shipment, and which does not requireaworkman to putit together for use when it reaches its destination.

I do not claim cross-legs, norstationarylegs with swinging legs hingedto them, nor any of the separate parts. By my construction andcombination of devices herein set forth the table is much stronger,cheaper, and more convenient for use than those heretofore made.

I claim as my invention as follows:

1. The legs A A, having a cross-piece, B, the central piece, C, of thetable-top perma nently connected to the legs,and the leaves D, hinged tothe top Cand folding downwardly, in combination with the movable legs EE, with half cross-pieces F, the hinges G, that connect the same to thecross-piece B at 0pposite sides, the metal plates H, attached to theupper parts of the legs E, and each provided with a knuckle, and thescrews I, by which the plates are attached to the under side of the topC, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the table-legs A A and cross-piece B, of thefolding legs E, having the half crosspieces F, and hinges G, connectingthe cross-piece B and half crosspieces F, and the removable disk orbasket L, substantially as set forth.

Signed by me this 1st day of December, A. D. 1883.

EPHRAIM TUCKER.

lVitnesses:

WM. B. SPRoUT, FREDK. J. BARNARD.

